THE ADREACH ALEX 10K IS A RACE WITH A STORY TO TELL

A journey through Alex

RUN ALEX MEDIA PUBLICATION

Ryan Brown

Tony Motala

, and 4 others

Mar 16, 2024

First and foremost, it’s a story about one of Johannesburg’s oldest and most historical neighbourhoods, a township that has been home to iconic South Africans ranging from Nelson Mandela and Hugh Masekela to Kabelo Mulaudzi and Chef Benny Masekwameng. On Human Rights Day (March 21), Alex’s residents will throw open their arms to runners from across the province, sharing with them the story of a township that has shaped South Africa and the world.

For many of the runners who line up in Alex Plaza next Thursday, it will be their first chance to really see this place that is the heartbeat of our city up close. We know that one of the stories the race will tell them is about the challenges of life here. These runners may see the packed shebeens that are still open while they are out running at 7 a.m., or the shacks without electricity or indoor toilets where many Alex residents must live.

Those things are reality, of course, but they are also far from the only story about Alex that runners will learn from running the township’s streets. As Alex’s runners welcome their guests, and the township’s residents cheer the race participants on, our visitors will also see the warmth and hospitality that Alex has always been known for. In the township’s thriving businesses, schools, and churches, they will also see the Alex’s determination to rise above history and stereotypes. Equally importantly, we hope this race will tell Alex a powerful story about itself, as a place that is always transforming and growing.

The race has another story to tell too. This is a story about a group of current and former Alex residents who set out to transform their neighbourhood through running. It’s a tale about how the little running group they got together at the Kwabehkilanga track in 2018 grew into a club that now sends more than a dozen runners to the Comrades each year, and has helped many Alex residents change their lives through sport. At the same time, it’s a story about a club that gives back every day to the community that created it. This is a story about the Run Alex members who give up their weekend lie-ins every week to teach dozens of Alex kids both running and reading. And it’s also a story about those kids, Run Alex’s determined, curious, and joyful juniors. Every day, they tell us a new story about the kind of place that Alex can be.

As the race approaches, we are thrilled to see the way our communities have rallied behind us. Alex luminaries like Linda Twala, Kabelo Mulaudzi, and Chef Benny Masekwameng have pledged their support, and clubs from across the province have signed up to compete in an informal competition to see who can bring the most fun and spirited bus to the race.

From the Technical Corner and Development

The Run Alex technical team consists of Coach Godright Selema, Tony Motala, Khutso Mogashoa, Lebo Moloele… & Run Alex Juniors Coach & Volunteers

Our core focus revolves around crafting intricate training routes, with a special emphasis on optimizing weekend sessions for our athletes.

Looking ahead, our primary mission centers on gearing up our runners for the highly anticipated 2024 Comrades Marathon. We're thrilled to note a substantial increase in our Comrades participants compared to last year.

Excitingly, we're unveiling U-turn, spearheaded by Bushy Montso, a dedicated group convening every Wednesday and Thursday. Primarily consisting of women, U-turn is committed to shepherding aspiring participants towards qualifying for the Comrades Marathon.

In addition, our newly introduced weekly time trials serve as invaluable tools, meticulously tracking our athletes' progress while also priming them for the rigorous Adreach Alex 10k route.

The technical team collaborates closely with the development team for weekly and weekend track sessions, diligently preparing our Run Alex Juniors for the Central Gauteng Athletics track and field leagues and cross-country events. However, our primary emphasis lies in fostering competitiveness within their respective schools and providing safe platforms for them to explore their talents and cultivate new friendships.

As part of our ongoing initiatives, we're actively engaged in guiding individuals venturing into their maiden marathon journeys. Through meticulously tailored weekly programs, encompassing both long and short distances, we aim to pave the way for their qualification into the esteemed 2025 Comrades Marathon and healthy lifestyle journey.

From Read Alex Team

At the start of 2024, we have welcomed our next class of readers from the Run Alex juniors program. This year’s group is a mix of new and returning faces, ranging in age from 6 to 16. Each Saturday and Sunday, we have between 20 and 80 kids in the program, and the volunteer team has been blown away by their enthusiasm and determination. Whatever their reading level, they all come ready to be brave, make mistakes, and learn new things.

We were lucky to have a session in February with Ms Annetjie Ramethlape, a teacher who runs a reading club in Thembisa, and who reminded us that at the end of the day, reading is meant to be fun. If it’s not, we aren’t doing it right!

We also want to thank Ricardo, Run Alex Coach and teacher, who is currently in the process of organizers our learners into different levels so we can help them target their specific weaknesses and have more fun reading.

Read Alex’s volunteer team is mixed skillsets, and everyone has something special to offer. We encourage you to come join us one weekend to see how we work with the kids. This year we welcomed a wonderful group of new volunteers from teachers, journalists, TV & Media professionals to parents and community leaders.

Thank you to Ryan Brown, who has been collecting and driving book collections to include a more diverse offering of South African books and stories. Our kids have been enjoying reading books with characters who look like them. We are always driving donations so please contact either Leanne (072 509 9102) or Ryan (073 021 6396) if you want to get more information.

From the #WatermelonGang🍉

As proud members of the Run Alex Athletics Club, we are honored to witness the collective enthusiasm and dedication of our community as we eagerly anticipate the AdReach Alex 10k race, themed "Explore Alex on Foot." This event symbolizes our shared values of humility, leadership, and lifelong learning, reflecting our commitment to community empowerment and growth. From our humble beginnings to our ongoing efforts in preparing for long & short road running events and the prestigious Comrades Marathon, Run Alex embodies the spirit of resilience and unity. As we join hands with fellow athletes from diverse backgrounds, local luminaries, and enthusiastic supporters, let us embrace the opportunity to showcase our unwavering dedication to personal and collective growth. Together, let us stride forward with excitement and purpose, knowing that every step we take contributes to the vibrant tapestry of our township's legacy.

We hope that everyone reading this will join us in Alex on March 21 as we tell the next chapter of our township’s story, one kilometer at a time.

Lastly, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the broader Alexandra Community for their unwavering support, as well as to our esteemed Event Partners: Adreach, Alexandra Plaza, CGA, Alex FM, Adidas, Kunene Makopo, Kia Sandton, Peak Timing, SmacPix, MTN, The Media and many others who wholeheartedly share in our vision of transforming the landscape of Alex.

Gear up for the Adreach Alex 10k!

Rock the Run Alex REDNESSRUN or WATERMELON BLACK socks for only R150 as you explore Alex on foot!

Plus, elevate your run with our latest must-have: The WATERMELON BURST Training Tee - Third Edition!

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Visit www.runalex.co.za/store to place your order OR directly here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/G2bqt6Kx5A136dEXhEiKwo

Don't miss out - contact us at 060 677 1173 / 073 445 2373 / 079 141 5451 for prompt support.

For more information about The Event, Run Alex, The Athletics Club or Read Alex please visit our website: www.runalex.co.za OR For any inquiries please send us an - email at read.alex.team@gmail.com Read Alex OR email at runalexac@gmail.com / info@runalex.co.za OR contact +27 60 677 1173 / +27 73 445 2373 / +27 73 131 6429

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